One of the regulars on Jim’s show is Rocco Montesano, the Executive Director of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. I’ve spoken with him several times, and today I took the family to visit him and tour the ship.
The Lex is a great visit. I was amazed at how much of the ship is open to visit. And anyone who hasn’t spent time on a Naval vessel should see it, or a sister ship on display near you.
For me, it was a return to a former life. I spent a week on the Lex when I was active duty. We began at NAS Key West, flew out to the ship for some operational training, then cruised the Gulf before launching an operation into the ranges at Eglin. During my stay on board, I had free run of the ship during my free time, and it was interesting to go back now and see what I remembered. We found the Junior Officer Berthing (directly under the catapult system) and it was neat to show my kids one of the places I went off to during one of my many trips when they were young. “Here’s my bunk!”
Wandering around I kept trying to locate myself. “I thought the machine shop was right about here.” Then took three more steps, and there’s the machine shop. The MH-60G tail wheel has a lock pin that sometimes shears. When we landed on the Lexington, one did. So I spent a bit of time in the machine shop duplicating one with the able help of a female machinist mate–at the time, the Lex was the only ship with female crewmembers.
Mess facility, dental offices, sick bay, engine room, geedunk. Some of the original wooden flight deck is still visible. Rocco and his crew have done a great job keeping displays up to date, and have added a Pearl Harbor Tribute in the foc’s’le area. The Lex starred in the recent movie, and played “USS Hornet” for the Doolittle Raid sequence. The foc’s’le is just forward of where I bunked, and has portholes in the bow area where I sometimes stood just to look out over unobstructed sea.
Another program is the Live Aboard Program. Groups can spend the night in the crew berthing, eat meals in the mess, and get the full tour of the ship. I did this once on a submarine (Batfish) with a group of Cub Scouts, and it was a tremendous experience.
Okay, I’m not a squid, nor did I ever have any desire to be one. But I have always been fascinated by life aboard ship, and how this city on the sea operates. “The Blue Ghost” is always a great visit.
Sounds like a great tour. Back during my days at Schofield Barracks several friends and I occasionally would eat at the Pearl Harbor Navy Officers Club [$5 steak and crab, all you can eat night!]. Sometimes after too many cocktails we would cruise the pier, see what ship was berthed there and fall upon the poor seaman or marine on duty at the “plank”. We would present our ID’s and just like the movies “Request Permission to Come Aboard”. Usually the guard would be rather amused and summons some junior officer to give us a tour. Due to the cocktails the only ship I remember touring was a Machine Shop Ship [try saying that when your drunk]. It was pretty damn interesting. Anyway perhaps this is why some years later I gave up drinking.
Comment by Wallace-Midland, Texas — December 13, 2004 @ 11:41 pm
We love the Lady Lex, and have toured it a number of times. She’s a fascinating lady, with the most remarkable track record! When ever friends come to visit, that’s on the list of “things to do” during their visit. I learn something new every time we go! When we do, we spend at least 3 hours devouring her lessons!
Comment by DagneyT — December 14, 2004 @ 11:04 am
Lex is one of our favorite places to take weekend out-of-towners when we need to entertain, it’s a great attraction for CC,TX.
I never served on the Lex, however one of my old duty stations just left town yesterday on her final trip to her ultimate resting place. Makes me really feel old.
http://www.ussoriskany.com/id18.html
Comment by John — December 14, 2004 @ 11:23 am
Rocco mentioned trying to get some piece-parts from the Oriskany to keep the Lex in good shape. Hope he gets what he needs!
Comment by Bunker — December 14, 2004 @ 11:45 am